2. Contact Info

3. Dealer Selection

Europeans seem to have it made when it comes to getting the hottest small cars on the road first. Case in point: The new Volkswagen Golf Mk6. With its sleek, yet cute looks and solid fuel economy to boot, the Golf is on pace to continue its reign as a top compact car. Building off this reputation, Volkswagen is looking to tap into a more luxurious market and is expanding the successful Golf lineup with a recently debuted second generation Golf Plus. The Plus is currently being previewed at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy and is essentially a taller, more spacious version of the standard model.

The car sports an almost identical front clip as the regular hatchback, with a prominent VW badge placed on the horizontally slotted grille. In addition to the taller roofline, a new set of racks have been integrated into the design for extra cargo capacity. Stylists gave the car a reworked rear end featuring brighter LED tail lights, while available 18-in. wheel designs fill out the wells at each corner.

Cabin space is filled with much the same amenities as the run of the mill Golf, but for the Plus, designers made sure to employ higher grade treatments to give a sense of premium quality. White backlit instruments surrounded by brushed chrome casings and various steering wheel configurations are reminiscent of the Golf’s bigger Passat CC brother.

Engine options have yet to be set in stone, but Volkswagen did hint the model will utilize a 121 hp, 1.4L TSI four-cylinder as well as a 2.0L turbo diesel. The powertrains can be mated to either a five- or six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG transmission. Each also attains respectable fuel economy figures, with the 1.4L engine earning a VW claimed 37.3 mpg and the 2.0L diesel getting 46.1 mpg in the European cycle.

European pricing will likely arrive in the coming weeks and as expected, it’s unlikely the next generation Golf Plus will hit our streets anytime soon.